Tags
2000's, Along Came a Spider, Dylan Baker, Lee Tamahori, Michael Wincott, Monica Potter, Morgan Freeman, Thriller
Film Title
Along Came a Spider
Director
Lee Tamahori
Starring
- Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross
- Monica Potter as Jezzie Flanagan
- Michael Wincott as Gary Soneji
- Dylan Baker as Ollie McArthur
Alex Cross returns to the cinema screen, following his appearance in Kiss the Girls. Yet Along Came a Spider is not the best film as a thriller due to the way it slowly plays out and overload of twists that do it harm. Some shining moments are there, mainly an excellent Morgan Freeman and some good suspense. But sadly these traits are not enough to cover this leaky film that slowly falls apart.
Washington, D.C. Detective and forensic psychologist Alex Cross retires from the force after heading a sting operation that goes terribly wrong when his partner is killed. Feeling guilty for it despite it not being his fault, Alex retreats into himself while trying to come to terms with his emotions. Meanwhile, there is something in the works that will bring Alex back into the police work once more. It all begins with the kidnapping of Megan Rose, the daughter of a senator, from her prestigious school. The man who has kidnapped her is her teacher Gary Soneji, who has complex motives that he slowly teases out. He is the one who brings Alex back into the fold by contacting him and taunting him. Special Agent Jezzie Flanagan is held accountable for the breach in security as she was the one who was keeping watch over young Megan, and she is determined to find Megan out of guilt. Brought on to the case albeit with some reluctance, Alex partnered with Jezzie and with the aid of Detective Ollie McArthur, plunges into the complex case that shows that the kidnapping of Megan was just the tip of the iceberg for Soneji. Alex deduces that wants to be notorious for his crimes, but there are many other unanswered questions at play. A complex game is afoot now and Alex is determined to break it. Along with Jezzie , Alex sets out to uncover the motives and reasons before it is too late. But how can you catch a criminal who seemingly wants to be known but is effortless at being elusive?
The direction is the first part of the film that makes problematic probably the best word befitting of Along Came a Spider. Lee Tamahori doesn’t seem to know a thing about pacing a thriller, although he starts strong he can’t keep any momentum up. The film slowly descends into run of the mill shenanigans and even when it does have good parts, they are sadly overshadowed by the weaknesses of the plot. Like I said, there are some good moments of suspense generated. These consist of the opening in which the partner of Cross is killed after the operation goes awry and a rain-soaked set piece where Alex and Jezzie are confronted with Gary Soneji. These provide two highlights of a picture, that sadly lacks a punch. And with the script, I’m all for a few twists but Along Came a Spider tangles itself into oblivion with its attempts to be clever. I must say that I enjoyed Kiss the Girls better because its story kept you involved, whereas with this film it drifts away and becomes mundane. A score from Jerry Goldsmith, who is one of my favourite film composers, is appropriately suspenseful and imaginative, injecting the film with good helpings of both which the mixed movie requires.
As flawed and up and down as Along Came a Spider proves to be, Morgan Freeman portraying Alex Cross is simply brilliant. Freeman once more plays his part with a great deal of respect and shrewd intellect, as Alex is reluctantly drawn back into his job as detective by the quite baffling and twisting case presented to him. His gravity, quietly unassuming personality and keen insight of the character is what really keeps this movie going, even when it slips into contrivance and ridiculousness. Although I’ve seen Monica Potter in other good parts, her role as Jezzie Flanagan here is not one of them. The character is meant to be conflicted and guilt ridden, but she comes off as emotionless. Now I don’t know whether this is the fault of the script of Potter or the script, but the role just is not a good one. Even when later on they expand on her character, it’s too little too late. Michael Wincott is a lot more successful in his portrayal of the kidnapper Gary Soneji, who has motives that are hard to figure out. He isn’t an over the top villain, instead a quietly intelligent and often pitiful man with a warped world view. All of that is made clear and interesting due to Michael Wincott and his good work. In the main supporting part of the detective assigned to the case, Dylan Baker is given scant to do but remains quite memorable.
While the music, some tension and a reliable Morgan Freeman performance can be gleaned from Along Came a Spider, it is not enough to create something that will linger in the mind.
Afzal Moolla said:
great thriller man
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vinnieh said:
It had a few good spots, but never came together enough for me.
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Afzal Moolla said:
yeah I hear you brother. especially the contrived ending
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vinnieh said:
They could have come up with a better ending.
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Afzal Moolla said:
I with you on that one brother
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Afzal Moolla said:
I mean the great Morgan Freeman
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vinnieh said:
I knew who you meant.
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Afzal Moolla said:
😁👍✌
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Afzal Moolla said:
Keep mistaking it for another thriller with Denzel wtf
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vinnieh said:
You might be getting confused with The Bone Collector.
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Afzal Moolla said:
That’s the one, man!
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vinnieh said:
I liked that film.
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Afzal Moolla said:
Yeah I hear you brother. Especially the contrived ending but I still dug it for Denzel
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beetleypete said:
Not bad for a mindless telly watch, though not up to the standard of Kiss The Girls, I have to agree entirely. Michael Wincott as the villain makes the mistake of over-playing his role too, and it often descends into melodrama.
Cheers mate. Pete.
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vinnieh said:
There were parts that were well executed and Morgan Freeman was typically great. But I just felt no pull or immediacy to the film, it trundled on.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I LOVE Morgan Freeman but because I read every single Alex Cross novel until a few years ago when Patterson’s writing really took a nosedive, I was never able to buy into him as Alex despite his excellent acting. He was too old for the part.
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fragglerocking said:
agreed 🙂
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vinnieh said:
You have to admit though, you could listen to Morgan Freeman’s voice for ages.
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vinnieh said:
I can understand you there Kim. When you read a book, you get a picture of the character. Many people seem to disagree if they make a film of a book and the actor chosen isn’t who you’d consider.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I always pictured Denzel Washington playing Alex. In the first book I’m pretty sure he was in his early thirties, and his two children were quite young.
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vinnieh said:
Yes but Denzel starred as Lincoln Rhyme in The Bone Collector. And I do think the roles are similar. I really like Denzel, can’t say I’ve ever seen a bad performance from him.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I have a feeling that’s why he wasn’t picked. I also would have been thrilled to see Shemar Moore in this, but I think that’s more because I have a bit of a crush on him LOL!
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vinnieh said:
Haha, we are all entitled to a crush Kim.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Except I’ve got several! Shh. Don’t tell my husband!
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vinnieh said:
My lips are sealed.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😉
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Bluebird4UDaily said:
What a wonderful movie, I loved this so much.. Morgan Freeman is awesome in everything he acts in ..
Thanks for the memories of a great movie.. Take care, Laura
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vinnieh said:
It’s true, Morgan Freeman is great in everything.
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ninvoid99 said:
This was a pretty bad film. Morgan Freeman, as usual, is good but the twist in the end and everything else is just horrible.
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vinnieh said:
Morgan Freeman was the saving grace in this film. Oh how I wish the overall product could have been better.
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kmSalvatore said:
I totally agree with you, a friend an I saw kiss the girls, and we were at the edge of out seats, a good thriller !! We were excited when along came spider…till we saw it… Thanks for the memories ;)))
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vinnieh said:
I was just really let down by this film, considering how much I liked Kiss the Girls.
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kmSalvatore said:
Yep me too
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vinnieh said:
At least Morgan Freeman was reliably excellent.
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kmSalvatore said:
Oh yes… Of course :)!!!
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vinnieh said:
I have never seen him give a bad performance.
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keepsmealive said:
Saw this ages ago, forgot all about it. Sadly my library doesn’t have it, or I’d have had a re-watch!
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vinnieh said:
It’s not too great, but seeing it again could make you think differently.
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Rebecca Dawn said:
Another one of Monica Potter’s movies that I liked. I enjoyed this Alex Cross movie. It was good. Maybe I should see if it’s OnDemand and watch it tomorrow😄
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vinnieh said:
I believe you enjoyed it more than I did.
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alexraphael said:
Morgan Freeman really can do anything.
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vinnieh said:
That is the truth, the man is amazing.
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MovieManJackson said:
I remember vaguely watching this on TV back in the day. Seemed pretty average back then. I think they still play this on TBS, TNT, and the like sometimes.
Sorry about your comment on my High Water post, dude. I hit some button randomly and not I can’t pull up your comment 😦
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vinnieh said:
If you check your spam or trash folder, my comment could be there. The same thing has happened to me in the past.
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filmsCine said:
Morgan Freeman’s great as Alex Cross
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vinnieh said:
Morgan Freeman is good in almost everything he does.
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